Nail Care Implement and Case

ABSTRACT

An implement for grooming nails in the form of a U shaped open loop having first and second top surfaces having nail grooming material affixed thereto, a packaged nail implement in a easer and a method for grooming nails.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from provisional patent applicationSer. No. 60/754,432, filed Dec. 28, 2005.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention is in the field of nail care implements for filing,shaping, and otherwise treating the nail and cuticle surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A wide variety of nail care implements are commercially available.Standard files, buffers, and the like can be purchased in just about anystore for a nominal price. While these nail care tools are quiteinexpensive, they do suffer from certain draw backs. For example, filesused for abrading nail tips and surfaces are often in a hot dog shape.However, these types of files are not ergonomically designed, nor dothey reach the more difficult to reach spots such as the corner of thenail.

There is a need for nail care implements that are capable of filing,buffing, and otherwise treating nails. Such an implement should be easyto grip and have the ability to reach difficult areas in the nail andcuticular surfaces to be treated. Further, there is a need for treatingand maintaining nails that have already been manicured. For example, itmay be desirable to buff manicured nails to restore shine. Or perhaps itis desirable to file small nicks or imperfections in a manicured nailsurface or edge.

One object of the invention is provide a nail care implement forgrooming nails that have been manicured.

Another object of the invention is to provide a packaged nail careimplement comprised of an implement in a case, to be used for groomingnails.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ergonomically designednail care implement that is easy to use and hold for the consumer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method for groomingnails, and more particularly, a method for grooming nails that havealready been manicured with a nail implement in accordance with theinvention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a nail care implement comprised of a U shapedopen loop having first and second top surfaces wherein at least one ofsuch surfaces is coated with a material that is suitable for treating orgrooming nails.

The invention further comprises a packaged implement for grooming nailscomprising an implement in the form of a U shaped open loop having firstand second top surfaces having nail grooming material affixed thereto,stored in a case in the form of a housing having one open end.

The invention further comprises a method for grooming nails comprisingtreating the nails with an implement in the form of a U shaped open loophaving first and second top surfaces containing material for groomingthe nails.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: depicts the nail care implement of the invention in the case.

FIG. 2: is an exploded view of the nail care implement and case depictedin FIG. 1.

FIG. 3: is a side plan view of the nail care implement.

FIG. 4: is a front plan view of the nail care implement.

FIG. 5: is a front plan view of the nail care implement in the case.

FIG. 6: illustrates use of the nail care implement in grooming thenails.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION I. The Nail Care Implement

A. Open Loop

The nail care implement 1 of the invention comprises a U shaped openloop 2 as best depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3. Preferably open loop is oblong6 in shape so as to facilitate placing the fingers within the centralportion 6A of the oblong 6 U shaped open loop 2 to perform the desiredfunctions. Alternatively, if the user's hand is very small four fingersmay be inserted into U shaped open loop 2 to hold the implement 1 foruse in performing the desired functions.

The U shaped open loop 2 has two arms 2A and 2B. If desired, both arms2A and 2B may be the same length. Alternatively, one arm 2A may beshorter than arm 2B.

B. Thermoplastic Material

The U shaped open loop 2 has an inner surface 3. If desired, the innersurface 3 may be covered with a thermoplastic material 4 thatfacilitates gripping, although that is not essential. If desired, thebrand or other indicia may be imprinted on the inner surface 3 ofthermoplastic material 4.

If desired, thermoplastic material 4 may be ergonomically shaped tofacilitate finger gripping. This is most advantageously achieved bymolding theroplastic material 4 in the form of waves 4A, 4B that mimicthe depressions between fingers when they are held together. Waves 4Aand 4B may be found on both inner surfaces 4C and 4D of open loop 2.This will enable the user to hold open loop 2 one way such that firstsurface 4E is used to groom nails. Then, if it is desired to use secondsurface 4F to groom nails, open loop 2 can be held such that secondsurface 4F is used to groom fingernails. In other words, the open loop 2can be held upwardly or downwardly depending on the surface that isdesired to be used in grooming nails.

Preferred is where U-shaped open loop 2 has inner surfaces 4 that arecompletely coated a thermoplastic material 4A around the entire surfaceof open loop 2, that coats entire inner surface and particularlyfacilitates gripping on the top and bottom. If desired thermoplasticmaterial 4A may contain markings 4G in the form of slits, protrusions,or similar to further facilitate the user's grip.

C. Top Surfaces

Open loop 2 has arms have a first and second top surfaces 7 and 9. Firsttop surface is coated with a material 8 that is capable of providingnail treating properties. For example, the material 8 may be an abrasivematerial of fine grain that is useful for filing nails or lightlyabrading a nail surface, treating hang nails or rough nail edges.

U shaped open loop 2 has a second top surface 9. Second top surface 9may also be treated or have affixed thereto a material 9A that iscapable of being used to treat nail surfaces. For example, second topsurface 9 may have affixed thereto a material 9A that is a thermoplasticpolymeric material into which a treatment oil is impregnated (notshown), or it may be a chamois-like material that will improve shinewhen used to buff the nail surface, particularly a manicured nailsurface. It is preferred that at least one of first or second topsurfaces has affixed thereto a material that is useful for buffing nailsto provide shine.

In the preferred nail implement 1 of the invention, the implement isused for grooming nails that have been polished. One top surface is usedto smooth ragged nail edges, hang nails, and the like. The second topsurface is used to buff the polished nail surface to renew shine.

Nail care implement 1 may be gripped in a variety of different ways asdepicted in FIG. 6. Preferred is where the nail care implement I is usedto groom and otherwise fix imperfections in manicured nails.

II. The Case

When not in use the nail care implement I is preferably stored in a case10. Case is preferably in the form of a housing 11 that has one open end12 such that implement 1 can easily be withdrawn from case 10 bygripping the lower U portion of open loop 2 with the fingers and pullingimplement 1 to remove it from the case 10. However, it is possible thatimplement 1 may be stored in case 10 by sliding it in such that the ends13 of open arms slightly protrude from open end 12. Case 10 ispreferably of size and shape to encircle most of U shaped open loop 2such that it fits snugly within case 10 when stored therein, but iseasily extracted from case 10 when the user desires to remove it and useit for nail grooming purposes.

Preferably case 10 has beaded edge 14 around open end 12. Beaded edge 14will facilitate easier insertion and removal of implement from case 10and ensure that user doesn't hurt fingertips on sharp edges.

Also, if desired, sides of case 10 have markings 15 that make it easierfor the user to grip case 10 to hold it so that implement 1 can be moreeasily removed from case 10.

Both case 10 and implement are preferably made of a thermoplasticmaterial that has sufficient flexibility such that it will not readilycrack, but at the same time be strong enough to withstand the forcesthat are used in nail grooming.

III. The Method.

The invention also comprises a method for grooming nails. In a preferredembodiment the invention comprises a method for grooming nails that havebeen manicured, and is a way to extend the life of the manicure. Thenail implement I of the invention is able to file away and groom roughedges of nails, hang nails, and other imperfections often seen inmanicured nails. Additionally, one of top surfaces may be used forbuffing manicured nails to revive shine. Shine is associated with afresh manicure. The shine often disappears on polished nails within afew days after the manicure. The implement of the invention enables theuser to groom manicured nails and revive shine on polished nails.

While the invention has been described in connection with the preferredembodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention tothe particular form set forth but, on the contrary, it is intended tocover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by theappended claims.

1. A nail care implement comprised of a U shaped open loop having firstand second top surfaces wherein at least one of such surfaces is coatedwith a material that is suitable for treating or grooming nails.
 2. Theimplement of claim 1 having two arms where one arm is longer than theother arm.
 3. The implement of claim 1 where U shaped open loop has aninner surface.
 4. The implement of claim 3 wherein the inner surface ofU shaped open loop is covered with a thermoplastic material.
 5. Theimplement of claim 4 wherein thermoplastic material is ergonomicallyshaped to facilitate finger gripping.
 6. The implement of claim 4wherein thermoplastic material is ergonomically shaped in the form ofwaves.
 7. The implement of claim 4 wherein thermoplastic materialcontains markings.
 8. The implement of claim 1 wherein first top surfacehas an abrasive affixed thereto.
 9. The implement of claim 1 whereinsecond top surface has a material for buffing nails affixed thereto. 10.The implement of claim 1 wherein U shaped open loop is in an oblongshape.
 11. A packaged implement for grooming nails comprising animplement in the form of a U shaped open loop having first and secondtop surfaces having nail grooming material affixed thereto, stored in acase in the form of a housing having one open end.
 12. The packagedimplement of claim 11 wherein the case is in the form of an oblonghousing.
 13. The packaged implement of claim 12 wherein the case has abeaded edge around open end.
 14. The packaged implement of claim 11wherein the first top surface of U shaped open loop contains a nailgrooming material that is an abrasive for filing the nails.
 15. Thepackaged implement of claim 11 wherein the second top surface of Ushaped open loop contains a nail grooming material that is a buffingmaterial for buffing the nails.
 16. The packaged implement of claim 11wherein the U shaped open loop and case are oblong.
 17. A method forgrooming nails comprising treating the nails with an implement in theform of a U shaped open loop having first and second top surfacescontaining material for grooming the nails.
 18. The method of claim 17wherein first top surface has an abrasive material affixed thereto. 19.The method of claim 17 wherein second top surface has a buffing materialaffixed thereto.
 20. The method of claim 17 wherein the implement isused to groom manicured nails.